Two weeks ago I asked you to send me your stories about life in the medical profession (I love hearing other peoples stories!). And today I get the chance to share one of the stories that I received with all of you. This story is from a Lydia’s customer, Jaclyn. Jaclyn has been employed as a veterinary technician for 10 years now, and she says that this is one of her favorite stories.
Read on.
Finding a Home for an FIV Kitten
I work at a small veterinary clinic in Arizona. We pride ourselves on providing advanced and compassionate veterinary care and occasionally we will take in strays that our clients have found, clean them up, take care of their medical needs, and then find them homes.
On this particular day, one of our clients had found a tiny black/white male kitten near the dumpsters of her daughter’s elementary school. Although he was nothing but adorable and sweet, she knew she could not make him an addition to her family. Not knowing what else to do, she brought him into the clinic.
We willingly took him in, gave him a bath, and addressed his ear mites. It is standard practice in the field to FIV/Feline Leukemia test all stray cats, and of course we did so appropriately. We all waited anxiously with fingers crossed hoping he would not pop up positive for either of these debilitating diseases. Sadly, however, the little guy came back positive for FIV (Feline Immune-Deficiency Virus - think of it as kitty AIDS).
We knew now that finding this bundle of fluff a forever home would not be easy. Since the disease is extremely contagious, anyone with a cat could not have this kid, as he could easily pass it to the other cats in the household. Nonetheless, he appeared to be happy and healthy in all other aspects and did not have any signs or symptoms of the disease. We neutered him and started his kitty vaccine series, along with posting him on our adoption board in the front lobby.
Several people were interested and inquired about him, but all shied away when they heard of his illness. We did let them know it was a possibility that he actually did not have FIV and that the test was positive only from antibodies passed on from his Mother. However, no one was willing to take that risk and so there the kitty sat – stuck in a vet clinic with no family of his own for an entire month!
One day during Christmas break, however, that all changed. A boy named Dakota and his Dad had come into the clinic to see the sick kitty that needed a home. Dakota had wanted a cat for years and was so excited to learn of this little guy. I brought the young boy and his Father into the treatment area where the kitten was kept and opened the door to his condo. What happened next was one of the most precious things I have ever experienced in my life (not only in my job). The kitten immediately began purring when Dakota picked him up to sit on the floor with him. He rubbed himself all over Dakota – you could literally hear him purring from across the room. The two played with a cat toy for a few minutes before the kitten climbed into the boy’s small lap and fell asleep.
Although Dakota’s Dad had said yes to the cat, he still had to ask his Mother in Texas if he could bring the kitten home with him when he had to go back the following week. When we saw Dakota and his Dad leaving the clinic empty handed we assumed that his Mom had said no and that once again the kitten had come so close to finding his forever home, and then having it fall through.
But Dakota and his Dad came back the next day! For as long as I live I will never forget what the boy asked the receptionist, “Umm.. is the kitten still up for adoption?” It was so adorable! His entire face lit up with delight and he grinned from ear to ear when he heard that the little one did in fact still need a family. He and his Dad ran outside and came back
in with all the supplies they had bought for the cat. We loaded the kitten up into the multi-colored carrier Dakota had picked out for him, complete with his blanket and Snugglebunny toy we had gotten for him when he first arrived at the clinic. I asked Dakota what he was going to name his new buddy, and without one ounce of hesitation, he very matter-of-factly informed me that the kitten’s name was M&M – short for Milk Mustache (see the photo to see why). It was the perfect name!
The next week Dakota, M&M, and their Dad came into the clinic on their way to airport to say goodbye. My eyes filled up with tears after not seeing M&M for the past week and realizing that he had just spent his first week with his new family – a family that would love and care for him very much. Dakota’s Dad took him to the airport and watched him board his plane with M&M as his carry-on.
We still keep in contact with both Dakota and his Dad, who both say that the kitten is doing great and growing like a weed. His Dad tells me that Dakota getting that kitten was the best thing for him. He says there is not only a spark and a compassion that had never been there before, but also a real sense of responsibility. Dakota says he loves the cat more than anything else in the world. I hear that despite his FIV positive status that M&M is doing terrific! He is happy, healthy, snuggly, and playful! I am confident knowing that he couldn’t have landed in any better hands and that whatever his future holds, his best friend, Dakota will be there to love him and care for him as best as he, and anyone can.
Dakota and M&M will be staying with Dad here in Arizona again this summer and they promise to stop by the clinic to see us. I’ve promised to microchip M&M for Dakota to ensure that if he is ever lost, the two will be reunited and I’ve also offered to help with any medical expenses should the need ever arise.J
Thanks for sending this in Jaclyn. I loved reading it and the pictures make it even more endearing. I would still love to hear more of everyone’s stories! Embarrassing scrub mishaps, success with a patient, new job drama- send your stories this way! You can e-mail them to me here.
